Dolphins' Hiring Of Joe Philbin Reminiscent Of Chan Gailey Hiring

by Brian Galliford on Jan 21, 2012 3:00 PM EST in NFL News

On Friday, news broke that the Miami Dolphins had chosen Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to become the team's new head coach. It brought to a conclusion a job search that reminded me quite a bit of what happened with the Buffalo Bills two years ago.

Back in 2009, immediately after they fired Dick Jauron, the Bills began chasing high-profile names to replace him, meeting with Mike Shanahan in November and courting Bill Cowher fairly heavily, as well. In the end, the big names went in different directions, and Gailey's name came out of nowhere; in fact, he was barely mentioned as a candidate until news broke that his contract was being finalized.

Philbin's hiring in Miami didn't break in exactly the same fashion, as he was named one of three finalists for the job earlier this week. However, his hiring - like Gailey's - came on the coattails of owner Stephen Ross seeking a high-profile candidate for the job. Philbin is a good football coach, but high-profile he is not.

Now, Buffalo and Miami - who have been trailing New England and New York in the division for three years now - also trail those two teams in head coaching notoriety. Gailey and Philbin won't ever hold a candle to Bill Belichick or Rex Ryan in terms of notoriety. Time will tell if their teams will ever be able to consistently beat their higher-profile nemeses on the field.

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So this means...

That Miami will be picking in the Top 10 for the next two years instead of the Bills?

by CrissAitch on Jan 21, 2012 3:07 PM EST via Android app reply actions 1 recs

Instead of, or along side of?

by Schrims on Jan 21, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

So the Dolphins got

the up and coming offensive coordinator of the defending SB champs, highest scoring offense and a playoff team. The Bills got a guy who was out of football after being fired by a bad college football team and being demoted by a bad offensive team in the preseason.

It’s definitely reminiscent of something.

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by twoeightnine on Jan 21, 2012 3:59 PM EST reply actions 7 recs

LOL....I think Brian wants to go skiing

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu

by Joe P. on Jan 21, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly what I thought when I read this.

And I was going to say, they are similar in that ways that Brian pointed out… but not in terms of how good of teams that they came away from coaching.

Philbin was from the score, score and score some more defending SB Champs, 15-1 Packers… Chan got let go from a pretty bad KC team.

I expect to be facing Matt Flynn twice a year now as well… Who I have said in the past would be a good QB, noting that he won a Natl Champ at LSU and played pretty well… everyone said he wasnt good and that Natl Champs mean nothing and hes only a 7th rounder… Well hes played pretty darn good everytime he came in for Rodgers and now will get paid this offseason.

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 21, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

Well Chan got something out of nothing in KC and most KC fans would argue that firing Chan was a mistake. Meanwhile, it’s ahrd to credit Philbin since we know he has a top QB. As we’ve seen in other places, with a top QB the offensive coach can be made to look better than they really are (McDaniels…)

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Jan 22, 2012 8:18 AM EST up reply actions

One difference from Chan

I think Brian’s point about the similarities between the two HC hirings makes a lot of sense, but there’s one significant difference — Gailey was a successful NFL and college HC before he came to Buffalo, while to my knowledge Philbin has never held that role. His learning curve is bound to be steeper as a result, although if he gets Matt Flynn to work with the Bills could have a problem.

by Macktruck on Jan 21, 2012 4:49 PM EST reply actions

Darn it!

This is actually a good hire for the Fish.

I was SOOOOOOOOOOO hoping that they would hire Jeff (run-run-incomplete-punt) Fisher.

"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jan 21, 2012 5:03 PM EST reply actions

Gailey and Philbin won’t ever hold a candle to Bill Belichick or Rex Ryan in terms of notoriety.

Ever? Is this a prediction of how both these coaches work-out? I think some playoff success for Gailey/Philbin could easily knock Ryan’s loudmouth into “who cares-ville”.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Jan 21, 2012 5:10 PM EST reply actions

Yes Rex has more notoriety, but he is making a team of loudmouths and allows people to say whatever they want, and although Mark Sanchez was overdrafted and will only be a “game manager” who makes 25 or fewer attempts per game, he was still thrown under the bus. Rex shouldn’t have created an atmosphere where that could happen. Rex just has a loud mouth, but I would rather have Chan Gailey. Of course, I’m very biased… haha

by JMP on Jan 21, 2012 5:29 PM EST reply actions

I can’t believe he’s even doing interviews at this point. How does he expect to mourn his son and turn around a team at the same time? I feel like he needs an advocate or something.

by Dr. Brackish Okun on Jan 21, 2012 5:45 PM EST reply actions

Everyone mourns differently Doc.

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 21, 2012 8:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Didn’t he interview w/ Miami during the bye week? Before the incident? I could be WAY off here.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jan 21, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

the day before

It might sound bad, but part of me thinks they gave him the job out of guilt…I know thats absurd, but couldn’t help it.

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 21, 2012 8:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Just a slight spin

Why in the world is Rex Ryan employed. The Jets have become a shambles and he should be the first to go, not the last.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jan 21, 2012 6:48 PM EST reply actions

Next year they should clean house

Walker from the ESPN blog posted that they are going to be 5 million over the cap, and need to re sign their NT. They may need to make some moves to be able to sign their early picks…

You are now Watching The Throne.

by tomcs on Jan 21, 2012 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

Probably because they made the AFC Championship 2 years in a row, then finished 8-8 and were in playoff contention in week 17 in his “worst” year as a head coach.
And that his defense and special teams have been effective or near the top all three years he’s been with the team.
And that one of the two biggest complaints about the Jets’ lousy offense (Brian Schottenheimer) is now working with St. Louis.

Ryan’s a big talker, and I hate him, but when it comes to getting results, for 2.5 years he has delivered. Time will tell if he can modify his coaching style to lead the team through adversity, or if the chance of a down year could doom him.

"Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin." - stetzwebs

by DanRoc on Jan 21, 2012 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

good points

But last year was awful. The team fell apart. Sanchez hasn’t developed. And now they are over the cap, with nothing to show for it. Their defense is not as good as it was. Next year could be his and the GM’s last.

You are now Watching The Throne.

by tomcs on Jan 21, 2012 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

oh you dont like Coach Ryan...huh?

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 21, 2012 8:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

two afc championship appearences buys you a helluva lot more slack then 10-22 does

sure would suck to have that for the Bills…

:-/

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 21, 2012 8:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I’m sure Bill Belichick and his notoriety couldn’t hold a candle to anybody before those Super Bowl victories either. Just an observation.

"SO LETS GET ON IN THIS BUS cause this is the year we are coming to KICK SOME #$^u%*$% GODZILLA IS COMING BE READY" - abayarde

by NJBillsfan on Jan 22, 2012 4:09 AM EST reply actions

Ho Hum for the Phins

They onced hired offensive guru Cam Cameron who led the high flying Chargers only to be fired after after one miserable year…

Just like the Gailey hire which was Ho Hum to most Bills fans at the time, this hire for the Phins as a Bills fan is Ho Hum… Phins fans I’m sure are excited that they got the Philbin from the reining Champions but only time will tell…

How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?

Dennis the Menace

by Goose22 on Jan 22, 2012 8:00 AM EST reply actions